🐪 Hi, Wednesday. If you’re reading this from NJ, you may be holding the winning $1.13B MegaMillions ticket this morning.

PA Weather
🌤️ Ligonier | Partly Sunny, 63
☔ Hershey | Rain, 50
🌂 North Wales | Scattered Showers, 51

PA Sports
🏀 Sixers (39-33) | Wed vs. LA Clippers
🏒 Flyers (36-27-10) | NY Rangers 5-6 (OT) | Thu vs. Montreal
🏒 Penguins (31-30-10) | Thu vs. Columbus
⚾ Phillies (0-0) | Thu vs. Atlanta
⚾ Pirates (0-0) | Thu vs. Miami

What We’re Hearing
EMILYs List will endorse six Democratic pro-choice women for the General Assembly today – Nicole Ruscitto, SD37; Hadley Haas, HD44; Sara Agerton, HD88; Anna Thomas, HD137; Anna Payne, HD142; and Elizabeth Moro, HD160.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Alec Ryncavage.

Pennsylvania Political Headlines In Your Inbox Daily
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Top Story

1. Biden Makes Up Ground On Trump in Latest PA Polls

“For the better part of February and early March, former President Donald Trump’s polling numbers in Pennsylvania were showing strength against President Joe Biden, leading anywhere between 2-6 points.

In the latest polls from Susquehanna and Morning Consult, the tide is shifting in the race.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Biden Does From Republicans. “Many Americans are unenthusiastic about a November rematch of the 2020 presidential election. But presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump appears to stoke more anger and fear among Americans from his opposing party than President Joe Biden does from his.” (AP)

‘Uncommitted’ Campaign Wants PA Democrats To Send A Message To Biden. “Hundreds of thousands of Democratic primary voters across states like Michigan and Illinois this year voted “uncommitted” in protest of President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Similar organizers of this ballot box protest now have their sights set on Pennsylvania and its April 23 primary.” (LNP)

Vulnerable Republicans Bet Their Seats on Trump. “The fate of the GOP House majority this fall rests on a small but pivotal group of lawmakers — the 17 Republicans who represent districts won by President Joe Biden in 2020. Five are left to bend the knee, (including) Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania (who has) yet to make an endorsement in the presidential race.” (POLITICO)

U.S. District Court Jettisons PA Freedom Caucus Lawsuit re: Automatic Voter Registration. “In a 27-page ruling handed down on Tuesday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson dismissed a complaint filed by the Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus that challenged Gov. Josh Shapiro’s authority to implement automatic voter registration.” (PoliticsPA)

RFK Jr. Picks Shanahan As His Running Mate For His Independent White House Bid. “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. chose Nicole Shanahan on Tuesday to be his vice presidential pick, adding a wealthy but nationally unknown figure to his independent White House bid that’s trying to appeal to voters disaffected by a rematch of the 2020 election.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

State

2. Forward Party Tabs Settle, Foster For Statewide Posts

“In separate announcements at either end of the Commonwealth yesterday, the Forward Party announced two candidates for statewide office.

The party selected Eric Settle, a Montgomery County attorney, for the position of Attorney General, while also tabbing Allegheny County’s Chris Foster for the post of State Treasurer.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Shapiro Flirts with Reckless ‘Green’ Initiatives. “In efforts to keep the war drums of climate alarmism beating, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro is employing one reckless acronym after another: RGGI, PACER, and PRESS.” (National Review)

Kenyatta Attacks DeFoor, Ignores Pinsley in Auditor General Town Hall. “Democratic candidates for auditor general, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, and Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley participated separately in a Zoom town hall sponsored by New Pennsylvania Project, a voting rights group.” (DV Journal)

Recent CPAC Ratings Spotlight PA Freedom Caucus Members. “In addition to every PAFC member scoring in the top tier of the conservative rankings, several earned perfect, 100% scores for the year. Further, in its “all time” list of conservative legislators in the Keystone state, which is an aggregate list counting all votes since assuming office, the PAFC boasts the top three performers.” (PA Town Hall)

Lawmakers From Both Parties Urge Votes On Juvenile Justice Reform. “Lawmakers from both parties and in both chambers have introduced legislation to reform the state’s system of juvenile justice. But their measures have stalled short of a floor vote.” (WITF)

Bill to Limit Handheld Cellphone Use While Driving Advances In PA House. “Legislation that would ban handheld electronic devices while driving is advancing in the General Assembly.” (PennLive)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Bucks County Joins Other Local Governments In Suing Oil Industry Over Climate Change

“A large suburban Philadelphia county has joined dozens of other local governments around the country in suing the oil industry, asserting that major oil producers systematically deceived the public about their role in accelerating global warming.

Bucks County’s lawsuit against a half dozen oil companies blames the oil industry for more frequent and intense storms — including one last summer that killed seven people there — flooding, saltwater intrusion, extreme heat “and other devastating climate change impacts” from the burning of fossil fuels. The county wants oil producers to pay to mitigate the damage caused by climate change.” (AP)

Related

Voters’ Guide: Meet Pennsylvania’s 2024 Primary Election Candidates. “Candidates participating in this year’s primary election were invited to submit information to the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, which partnered with PennLive to create this voters’ guide.” (PennLive)

Victims of Voter Intimidation Would Have Rights To Sue Under Bill Passed By PA House Panel. “Victims of voter intimidation in Pennsylvania would have legal standing to sue people criminally convicted of interfering with polling places under a bill passed Tuesday by the state House Judiciary Committee.” (Penn Capital-Star)

A 7-Eleven Franchise Owner Is Suing Philly City Council Over A Bill To Ban Casino-Style ‘Skill Games’. “Stores with casino-style “skill games” may not have to get rid of the popular machines after all.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Shapiro Transit Funding Plan Is Good For Everyone. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• 2 Easy Things You Can Do To Defend Democracy. (Lauren Cristella and Jeff Greenburg)
• How Media’s Money Woes Threaten Democracy. (Will Bunch)
• Who Will Stand Up To The ‘Crazies’ Now? (Jonathan Zimmerman)
• Democracy Is Under Assault By People Who Don’t Believe In It. (David Mills)
• TikTok Ban Risks National Security, Poses Economic Consequences. (Maddie Seelig)

1 Thing

5. Mickey D’s and Krispy Kreme – Perfect Together?

“McDonald’s will begin selling Krispy Kreme donuts at its fast food locations this year as part of a phased rollout that will bring the baked goods to its restaurants nationwide by the end of 2026.

Under a partnership announced Tuesday, Krispy Kreme will deliver three versions of its donuts — glazed, chocolate iced with sprinkles and chocolate iced with a cream filling — to McDonald’s locations each morning. Customers can buy the donuts individually or in a box of six.” (CBS News)

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